formally

/ˈfɔːməli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːrməli/ (ame, ipa) · /-li/ (ame, mw)

formally — 副詞

1. according to the correct official rules or accepted procedures, rather than in a

1.副詞B2
釋義

正式地

按照官方規定或程序

according to the correct official rules or accepted procedures, rather than in an informal or unofficial way

例句

The contract was formally approved by the board of directors on Friday.

這份合約在星期五獲得董事會的正式批准。

passive: be formally + past participle (approved)

Folake formally applied for Canadian citizenship after living in Toronto for six years.

Folake 在多倫多住了六年後，正式申請了加拿大公民身份。

collocation: formally apply for [something]

同義詞
  • officially

    closest synonym; interchangeable in most official contexts

  • by the book

    informal alternative emphasising strict adherence to rules

  • legally

    narrower; only when official procedures involve the law

反義詞
  • informally

    done unofficially or without following official procedures

  • unofficially

    without formal recognition or authorisation

文法句型

formally + past participle (passive)

formally + verb (active)

用法筆記

Often used in the passive voice (be formally + past participle) to describe official actions such as approvals, announcements, or agreements. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on legal or procedural formality rather than personal behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌She was formally the manager, but now she works in marketing.
✅She was formerly the manager, but now she works in marketing.
💡'Formally' means following official rules; 'formerly' means in the past.

2. showing serious, correct, and polite behaviour on important social occasions whe

2.副詞B2
釋義

鄭重地

以嚴肅、端正且合宜的方式

showing serious, correct, and polite behaviour on important social occasions where customs and traditions matter

例句

All guests are expected to dress formally for the awards ceremony at the Grand Hotel.

所有賓客參加在大飯店舉行的頒獎典禮時都應穿著正式服裝。

collocation: dress formally

Antonia bowed formally to the ambassador before taking her seat at the table.

Antonia 向大使恭敬地鞠了一躬，然後在桌邊就座。

collocation: bow formally

同義詞
  • properly

    broader in meaning; less tied to ceremonial occasions

  • correctly

    focuses on following social rules rather than showing respect

  • ceremoniously

    stronger emphasis on ritual or ceremony; less common

反義詞
  • casually

    done in a relaxed, informal manner

  • informally

    done without following formal social customs

文法句型

formally + verb of social interaction (dress, speak, behave, bow, greet)

用法筆記

Commonly modifies verbs of social interaction: dress, speak, behave, bow, greet, thank, introduce. The setting must be an important or ceremonial occasion — do not use this sense for everyday polite behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor formally told me to rest more after my surgery.
✅The doctor strongly advised me to rest more after my surgery.
💡'Formally' implies following social customs for important occasions, not just a serious tone.

3. of gardens, rooms, or buildings — in a carefully planned and ordered way that fo

3.副詞C1
釋義

整齊地

按對稱工整的設計佈局

of gardens, rooms, or buildings — in a carefully planned and ordered way that follows a clear, symmetrical design, often with straight lines and geometric shapes

例句

The garden was laid out formally, with straight gravel paths and neatly clipped hedges.

這座花園採對稱式設計，有筆直的碎石小徑和修剪整齊的樹籬。

collocation: laid out formally

Christopher designed the entrance hall formally, placing two identical sofas facing each other.

Christopher 以對稱工整的方式設計了玄關大廳，兩張相同的沙發面對面擺放。

collocation: designed formally

同義詞
  • symmetrically

    focuses on mirror-image balance; a key feature of formal design

  • geometrically

    emphasises clear shapes such as squares, circles, and rectangles

  • methodically

    broader; not limited to garden or architectural contexts

反義詞
  • informally

    carelessly or naturally arranged, without strict planning

  • naturally

    allowed to grow or develop without human-imposed order

文法句型

formally + past participle (design contexts: laid out, designed, arranged, trimmed)

用法筆記

Restricted to descriptions of physical spaces and landscapes. This sense contrasts with informal or naturalistic design, where plants and features are allowed to grow freely without strict symmetry.

常見錯誤

❌The room was formally arranged with furniture scattered around.
✅The room was formally arranged with furniture placed in a symmetrical layout.
💡'Formally' in design means ordered and planned, not simply neatly arranged.